-9-
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ’s sake
Chapter 11:1-33
2Co 11:1 ¶ I WISH you could put up with a little of my foolishness — please try!
The Judaizers have billed themselves as experts in the scriptures and they, having a Jewish background, have an air of superiority over gentiles. They thought of themselves as cultured and 'high class'. Their letters of recommendation would likely contain a history of their accomplishments … kind of a 'brag sheet'.
Paul does not want to do it, but he feels forced to present his credentials. He could offer a very impressive list. He had a formal education at the feet of one of most renowned Jewish professors. He had worked his way to the top of the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem. The council consisted of 71 members, including the high priest. It is unlikely that the Judaizers could have added that to their resumes. Paul lists some of his accomplishments in Philippians 3:4-6.
But interestingly, he does not start his boasting with his educational degrees. He starts by listing some things that count in God's eyes. But he begins by explaining his reason that he dares join this foolish bragging game.
He says it is all for them. They are the reason.
2 My jealousy over you is the right sort of jealousy, for in my eyes you are like a fresh unspoiled girl whom I am presenting as fiancée to your only husband, Christ himself.
That is how I felt about my daughters. They were fresh. Unspoiled. Woe to the young buck who would dare to violate them to any degree whatsoever. Paul felt the same possessiveness that a father would feel. Fathers do their level best to shield their daughters from the peacock strut of these birds with only one thing on their minds. And Paul's heart was to protect the church from the buzzards that were circling nearby.
The church is called the 'bride of Christ'. This term is very different from the normal concept of brides and husbands. It speaks of an inner circle of fellowship and closeness.
That 'closeness' is not static between ourselves and Jesus. It is constantly shifting … sometimes closer, at other times more distant. What is at work behind the scenes that can affect our fellowship with Christ? Paul says,
3 I am afraid that your minds may be seduced from a single-hearted devotion to him by the same subtle means that the serpent used towards Eve.
We don't expect to see serpents hanging from nearby trees to take our devotion away from God, but as you well know, there are many, many things in our world around us, calling out to us … “Look at me … take me home with you.”
In the case of the Corinthians it was something else. They were perhaps not unique in this, but they are the only church were multiple leaders are mentioned. Some loved Paul's teaching … others the teaching and preaching style of Apollos. Learning and hearing good teaching was appealing to them.
Actually, for most of us, being created in the image of God includes the desire for knowledge. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it is governed by a desire to know God, His workmanship, His word better. Once God is taken out of the equation we are in trouble. At that point, knowledge itself can become a thing to be worshiped. Paul referred to some people he came across who had this tendency … exaggerated: He said in Ac 17:21 … For all the Athenians, and even foreign visitors to Athens, had an obsession for any novelty and would spend their whole time talking about or listening to anything new.
This desire to hear good teaching got the Corinthians into trouble here;
4 For apparently you cheerfully accept a man who comes to you preaching a different Jesus from the one we told you about, and you readily receive a spirit and a gospel quite different from the ones you originally accepted.
It is wonderful and provides a well-rounded understanding of scripture when we can hear the same things stated in different ways. Often that is the case when we hear the same passage of scripture being presented by different teachers. But Paul's shock and concern is that they should have recognized that what is being taught was so very different from what they heard at the first. We have a tremendous advantage over the Corinthians. We have the New Testament … they did not. They had Paul's spoken words about Jesus … that they had to remember. And Paul expected them to hold on to what they had heard and not be swayed by these new teachers … simply because they flashed their credentials.
He goes on,
5 ¶ Yet I cannot believe I am in the least inferior to these extra-special messengers.
How sad it is (was) that Paul had to defend and explain his actions of his time he had spent with them. We know him through scripture and we come to love this man. And to think, we will be able to speak with him in person some day.
But here he is explaining himself.
6 Perhaps I am not a polished speaker, but I do know what I am talking about, and both what I am and what I say is well known to you.
Paul questions if perhaps it is something other than his style of preaching that has opened them up to accept these Judaizers.
7 Perhaps I made a mistake in lowering myself (though I did it to raise you up) by preaching the gospel of God without a fee?
This sounds like these phony 'professionals' charged for their preaching. Why is it that, sometimes, we too think that we have to pay for something in order for it to have value? It is good that Paul points out how and why he did it the way that he did. He points out that his being there … cost somebody a lot of money.
8 As a matter of fact I was only able to do this by "robbing" other churches, for it was what they paid me that made it possible to minister to you.
'Robbing' … now there is a bit of Paul's sarcasm showing up. Perhaps sarcasm is a little too strong a word this time … but he says it this way to really underscore the point that his gospel really was not 'free'.
He adds,9 Even when I was with you and was hard up, I did not bother any of you. It was the brothers who came from Macedonia who brought me all that I needed. Yes, I kept myself from being a burden to you then, and so I intend to do in the future.
Here is a little more insight regarding the Christians in the province of Macedonia. They supported the church planting work of Paul. How admiral of them. Paul is up there with them as he is doing this writing.
Paul accepted money for his day to day living from the Macedonians, but he would not accept it from the Corinthians and the surrounding province of Achaia. Why? Paul seems to have known them and sensed a tendency that they would be the kind of people that might accuse him of being in it for the money. That is using wisdom. Our lives, our giving and sharing should be done with the same degree of wisdom. We need to try to know in advance that if we were to accept money from someone, would we then be 'beholden' (obligated) to them?
Paul is very firm in insisting that his financial dealings with them were his best choice.
10 By the truth of Christ within me, no one shall stop my being proud of this independence through all Achaia! 11 Does this mean that I do not love you? God knows it doesn’t,
What an interesting question … It is as if the Judaizers were implying that Paul did not really love the Corinthians. After all, did not Jesus say that it is more blessed to give than to receive? Paul was cheating them out of a blessing that could have received it they had been allowed to give to him. At least that might be the 'spin' that they would put on it.
Paul does not accept that. He gives a very valid reason to keep up with what he was doing.
12 but I am determined to go on doing as I am doing, so as to cut the ground from under the feet of those who would dearly love to be thought of as God’s messengers on the same terms as I am.
Paul is teaching the Corinthians that a true messenger of God would get the gospel out at any and all cost. These critics clearly would only preach for pay. As we noted earlier, Jesus said that person is 'known' by his fruit. Paul has been talking about the fruit of his life that they would have seen and he is saying that the Judaizers are new-comers and therefore there is not fruit to inspect. Letters of recommendation are the only thing left to go on.
This reminds me of the bible teachers that we can see on tv. We know nothing of the fruit of their lives. This is not saying that they are bad, it is just to say, that we cannot evaluate them by their fruit. Whether tv preachers or Judaizers, since we cannot evaluate them by the fruit of their personal lives and the credentials don't mean too much to us, it leaves us with one choice … that we know the word well enough to judge whether or not they are teaching truth. And this is what Paul is now battling, these men do not measure up to the truth, the Corinthians are unable to discern correctly … so they need Paul.
And speaking of messengers … Paul really laces into them:
13 God’s messengers? They are counterfeits of the real thing, dishonest practitioners masquerading as the messengers of Christ.
Up to now Paul has talked about having critics with a superior attitude. I have pointed out that biblical scholars have referred to them as 'the Judaizers' whose mission formed into following Paul's missionary work, a few paces behind Paul, and attempting to 'fix' Paul's teaching. Paul calls them counterfeits. He accuses them of dishonesty. This means that they were not trying to teach 'truth' as they understood it … they were teaching something different, intentionally trying to tear down Paul's work.
14 Nor do their tactics surprise me when I consider how Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is only to be expected that his agents shall have the appearance of ministers of righteousness — but they will get what they deserve in the end.
It is just a bit frightening to consider that Satan can masquerade as an angel of light.
Jesus said, that in the last days … False christs and false prophets are going to appear and will produce great signs and wonders to mislead, if it were possible, even God’s own people. Mt 24:24 False Christs may not be a problem for you to identify … after all, when people say that he is here or there, don't believe them …. because when Christ comes .. we go up. As long as we are here walking around … whoever claims to be Christ … isn't.
False prophets are another thing though. To hear one of them preach and then back his words up with incredible miracles could take in a lot of unsuspecting believers. As people who love God's word and whose aim it is to be 'skillful' in it, you have your jobs cut out for you to protect other believers from being deceived.
Now Paul is going to do some real 'foolish' boasting.
16 ¶ Once more, let me advise you not to look upon me as a fool. Yet if you do, then listen to what this "fool" has to make his little boast about.
17 I am not now speaking as the Lord commands me but as a fool in this business of boasting.2Co 11:18 Since all the others are so proud of themselves, let me do a little boasting as well.
19 From your heights of wisdom I am sure you can smile tolerantly on a fool.
… And so he eases into it.
First he uses a bit of 'tongue in cheek'.
20 Oh, you’re tolerant all right! You don’t mind, do you, if a man takes away your liberty, spends your money, takes advantage of you, puts on airs or even smacks your face?
He uses the word tolerant again as he refers to the Judaizers who take away liberty by putting them under the law of circumcision, require honorariums for their service etc.
21 I am almost ashamed to say that I never did brave strong things like that to you. (more sarcasm/tongue in cheek)
... Yet in whatever particular they parade such confidence I (speaking as a fool, remember) can do the same.
So here is the list:
22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? I have more claim to this title than they. This is a silly game but look at this list: I have worked harder than any of them. I have served more prison sentences! I have been beaten times without number. I have faced death again and again.
24 I have been beaten the regulation thirty-nine stripes by the Jews five times.
25 I have been beaten with rods three times; I have been stoned once. I have been shipwrecked three times. I have been twenty-four hours in the open sea.
26 In my travels I have been in constant danger from rivers, from bandits, from my own countrymen, and from pagans. I have faced danger in city streets, danger in the desert, danger on the high seas, danger among false Christians.
27 I have known drudgery, exhaustion, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, fasting, cold and exposure.
Paul looked back and remembered. Painful memories. Paul had been in the high court of the Jews before he accepted Jesus as his savior. He could have been rich and lived comfortably. He could have been respected. But he chose to follow Jesus. He counted the cost of the things that he would give up for Christ … and he said its worth it all.
... every advantage that I had gained I considered loss for Christ’s sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I did in fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it mere garbage compared with being able to win Christ. Php 3:7 ,8
Who do you know that even comes close to the Apostle Paul? And to think, the Corinthians had the incredible blessing of having this man in their presence! And here he is … having to play this stupid boasting game!
His critics in their fine clothes, flashing their letters of commendation and accreditation, … might have looked more honorable and respectable to the town council. Perhaps the Corinthians were tired of 'having to explain' a rough, shoddy, scarred looking Paul. How shallow and uncommitted to the Lord Jesus.
This very special 'man of God' goes on ...
28 Apart from all external trials I have the daily burden of responsibility for all the churches.
Had the Corinthians even thought of this? Obviously they were so self-centered this had not entered their minds. They cared about themselves. But not all of them, remember? Paul was so very excited about the news from Titus regarding the many who made an about face after reading Paul's first letter. But there are the others, who could so easily re-infect the whole church.
Paul feels for those who have been mislead. He said,
29 Do you think anyone is weak without my feeling his weakness? Does anyone have his faith upset without my burning with indignation?
This was no 'job' for Paul. He loved people with all his heart. He gave up his life for others.
30 Oh, if I am going to boast, let me boast of the things which have shown up my weakness!
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I speak the simple truth.
32 In Damascus, the town governor, acting by King Aretas’ order, had his patrols out to arrest me.
33 I escaped through a window and was let down the wall in a basket.
Paul looks back and smiles a bit about this one. He escaped … was let down the wall in a basket. This was at the very beginning of his ministry. He changed over time. I think Paul is admitting that he was scared. If something like this were to have happened in his later ministry, he would have stood up to the danger and took it as it came. This one time, Paul says, “Really showed up my weakness. I give God all the praise for that escape”.
12: 1 ¶ I don't think it’s really a good thing for me to boast at all, but if I must I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord himself.
Paul had so many things of which he could boast. But he counted them as rubbish. He let go of the things that the world put a value on. He even, for the most part, did not mention his list of missionary accomplishments. He humbly served, letting go of that need for recognition, which so many people are bound by.
What about you and me? What things do we cling to … dearly? Perhaps this is looking at it backwards. Perhaps we need to hear Jesus' question to us …
Mt 21:28 ¶ "But what is your opinion about this? There was a man with two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Go and work in my vineyard today, my son.’
29 He said, ‘I won’t’. But afterwards he changed his mind and went.
30 Then the father approached the second son with the same request. He said, ‘All right, sir’ — but he never went.
God calls on his children to be servants. In some unique way you are qualified to fill a mission that is particularly yours. Knowing that you are a servant, and that God has an area of service that only you can fill, makes it a lot easier see what things in your life can hold you back.
I will close this chapter with a look at Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah had an amazing experience. He said,
Isa 6:1 ¶ In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
His response was really quite normal under the circumstances. After seeing God in this new light, he says,
5 ¶ … "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
Isaiah, we could say, was standing very close to the Lord at this point. God is light, the scriptures say. The closer we come to the light, the more clearly the specks and dirt of our clothing shows up. So it is with our sin and defects. If we want to be effective servants of God, and work in his vineyard, we must take a fresh new look at God and let Him do what the angel does to Isaiah.
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Isaiah referred to his lips, in particular. He said they were dirty. The angel took care of that. Then the Lord's voice asked, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
With a fresh new concept of God and a cleaned-up life he says, " ..., "Here I am! Send me."
When knowing God intimately, and identifying with his will for you is all that matters, it becomes easier to say what Paul says in the next chapter.
2Co 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;
The Judaizers have billed themselves as experts in the scriptures and they, having a Jewish background, have an air of superiority over gentiles. They thought of themselves as cultured and 'high class'. Their letters of recommendation would likely contain a history of their accomplishments … kind of a 'brag sheet'.
Paul does not want to do it, but he feels forced to present his credentials. He could offer a very impressive list. He had a formal education at the feet of one of most renowned Jewish professors. He had worked his way to the top of the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem. The council consisted of 71 members, including the high priest. It is unlikely that the Judaizers could have added that to their resumes. Paul lists some of his accomplishments in Philippians 3:4-6.
But interestingly, he does not start his boasting with his educational degrees. He starts by listing some things that count in God's eyes. But he begins by explaining his reason that he dares join this foolish bragging game.
He says it is all for them. They are the reason.
2 My jealousy over you is the right sort of jealousy, for in my eyes you are like a fresh unspoiled girl whom I am presenting as fiancée to your only husband, Christ himself.
That is how I felt about my daughters. They were fresh. Unspoiled. Woe to the young buck who would dare to violate them to any degree whatsoever. Paul felt the same possessiveness that a father would feel. Fathers do their level best to shield their daughters from the peacock strut of these birds with only one thing on their minds. And Paul's heart was to protect the church from the buzzards that were circling nearby.
The church is called the 'bride of Christ'. This term is very different from the normal concept of brides and husbands. It speaks of an inner circle of fellowship and closeness.
That 'closeness' is not static between ourselves and Jesus. It is constantly shifting … sometimes closer, at other times more distant. What is at work behind the scenes that can affect our fellowship with Christ? Paul says,
3 I am afraid that your minds may be seduced from a single-hearted devotion to him by the same subtle means that the serpent used towards Eve.
We don't expect to see serpents hanging from nearby trees to take our devotion away from God, but as you well know, there are many, many things in our world around us, calling out to us … “Look at me … take me home with you.”
In the case of the Corinthians it was something else. They were perhaps not unique in this, but they are the only church were multiple leaders are mentioned. Some loved Paul's teaching … others the teaching and preaching style of Apollos. Learning and hearing good teaching was appealing to them.
Actually, for most of us, being created in the image of God includes the desire for knowledge. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it is governed by a desire to know God, His workmanship, His word better. Once God is taken out of the equation we are in trouble. At that point, knowledge itself can become a thing to be worshiped. Paul referred to some people he came across who had this tendency … exaggerated: He said in Ac 17:21 … For all the Athenians, and even foreign visitors to Athens, had an obsession for any novelty and would spend their whole time talking about or listening to anything new.
This desire to hear good teaching got the Corinthians into trouble here;
4 For apparently you cheerfully accept a man who comes to you preaching a different Jesus from the one we told you about, and you readily receive a spirit and a gospel quite different from the ones you originally accepted.
It is wonderful and provides a well-rounded understanding of scripture when we can hear the same things stated in different ways. Often that is the case when we hear the same passage of scripture being presented by different teachers. But Paul's shock and concern is that they should have recognized that what is being taught was so very different from what they heard at the first. We have a tremendous advantage over the Corinthians. We have the New Testament … they did not. They had Paul's spoken words about Jesus … that they had to remember. And Paul expected them to hold on to what they had heard and not be swayed by these new teachers … simply because they flashed their credentials.
He goes on,
5 ¶ Yet I cannot believe I am in the least inferior to these extra-special messengers.
How sad it is (was) that Paul had to defend and explain his actions of his time he had spent with them. We know him through scripture and we come to love this man. And to think, we will be able to speak with him in person some day.
But here he is explaining himself.
6 Perhaps I am not a polished speaker, but I do know what I am talking about, and both what I am and what I say is well known to you.
Paul questions if perhaps it is something other than his style of preaching that has opened them up to accept these Judaizers.
7 Perhaps I made a mistake in lowering myself (though I did it to raise you up) by preaching the gospel of God without a fee?
This sounds like these phony 'professionals' charged for their preaching. Why is it that, sometimes, we too think that we have to pay for something in order for it to have value? It is good that Paul points out how and why he did it the way that he did. He points out that his being there … cost somebody a lot of money.
8 As a matter of fact I was only able to do this by "robbing" other churches, for it was what they paid me that made it possible to minister to you.
'Robbing' … now there is a bit of Paul's sarcasm showing up. Perhaps sarcasm is a little too strong a word this time … but he says it this way to really underscore the point that his gospel really was not 'free'.
He adds,9 Even when I was with you and was hard up, I did not bother any of you. It was the brothers who came from Macedonia who brought me all that I needed. Yes, I kept myself from being a burden to you then, and so I intend to do in the future.
Here is a little more insight regarding the Christians in the province of Macedonia. They supported the church planting work of Paul. How admiral of them. Paul is up there with them as he is doing this writing.
Paul accepted money for his day to day living from the Macedonians, but he would not accept it from the Corinthians and the surrounding province of Achaia. Why? Paul seems to have known them and sensed a tendency that they would be the kind of people that might accuse him of being in it for the money. That is using wisdom. Our lives, our giving and sharing should be done with the same degree of wisdom. We need to try to know in advance that if we were to accept money from someone, would we then be 'beholden' (obligated) to them?
Paul is very firm in insisting that his financial dealings with them were his best choice.
10 By the truth of Christ within me, no one shall stop my being proud of this independence through all Achaia! 11 Does this mean that I do not love you? God knows it doesn’t,
What an interesting question … It is as if the Judaizers were implying that Paul did not really love the Corinthians. After all, did not Jesus say that it is more blessed to give than to receive? Paul was cheating them out of a blessing that could have received it they had been allowed to give to him. At least that might be the 'spin' that they would put on it.
Paul does not accept that. He gives a very valid reason to keep up with what he was doing.
12 but I am determined to go on doing as I am doing, so as to cut the ground from under the feet of those who would dearly love to be thought of as God’s messengers on the same terms as I am.
Paul is teaching the Corinthians that a true messenger of God would get the gospel out at any and all cost. These critics clearly would only preach for pay. As we noted earlier, Jesus said that person is 'known' by his fruit. Paul has been talking about the fruit of his life that they would have seen and he is saying that the Judaizers are new-comers and therefore there is not fruit to inspect. Letters of recommendation are the only thing left to go on.
This reminds me of the bible teachers that we can see on tv. We know nothing of the fruit of their lives. This is not saying that they are bad, it is just to say, that we cannot evaluate them by their fruit. Whether tv preachers or Judaizers, since we cannot evaluate them by the fruit of their personal lives and the credentials don't mean too much to us, it leaves us with one choice … that we know the word well enough to judge whether or not they are teaching truth. And this is what Paul is now battling, these men do not measure up to the truth, the Corinthians are unable to discern correctly … so they need Paul.
And speaking of messengers … Paul really laces into them:
13 God’s messengers? They are counterfeits of the real thing, dishonest practitioners masquerading as the messengers of Christ.
Up to now Paul has talked about having critics with a superior attitude. I have pointed out that biblical scholars have referred to them as 'the Judaizers' whose mission formed into following Paul's missionary work, a few paces behind Paul, and attempting to 'fix' Paul's teaching. Paul calls them counterfeits. He accuses them of dishonesty. This means that they were not trying to teach 'truth' as they understood it … they were teaching something different, intentionally trying to tear down Paul's work.
14 Nor do their tactics surprise me when I consider how Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is only to be expected that his agents shall have the appearance of ministers of righteousness — but they will get what they deserve in the end.
It is just a bit frightening to consider that Satan can masquerade as an angel of light.
Jesus said, that in the last days … False christs and false prophets are going to appear and will produce great signs and wonders to mislead, if it were possible, even God’s own people. Mt 24:24 False Christs may not be a problem for you to identify … after all, when people say that he is here or there, don't believe them …. because when Christ comes .. we go up. As long as we are here walking around … whoever claims to be Christ … isn't.
False prophets are another thing though. To hear one of them preach and then back his words up with incredible miracles could take in a lot of unsuspecting believers. As people who love God's word and whose aim it is to be 'skillful' in it, you have your jobs cut out for you to protect other believers from being deceived.
Now Paul is going to do some real 'foolish' boasting.
16 ¶ Once more, let me advise you not to look upon me as a fool. Yet if you do, then listen to what this "fool" has to make his little boast about.
17 I am not now speaking as the Lord commands me but as a fool in this business of boasting.2Co 11:18 Since all the others are so proud of themselves, let me do a little boasting as well.
19 From your heights of wisdom I am sure you can smile tolerantly on a fool.
… And so he eases into it.
First he uses a bit of 'tongue in cheek'.
20 Oh, you’re tolerant all right! You don’t mind, do you, if a man takes away your liberty, spends your money, takes advantage of you, puts on airs or even smacks your face?
He uses the word tolerant again as he refers to the Judaizers who take away liberty by putting them under the law of circumcision, require honorariums for their service etc.
21 I am almost ashamed to say that I never did brave strong things like that to you. (more sarcasm/tongue in cheek)
... Yet in whatever particular they parade such confidence I (speaking as a fool, remember) can do the same.
So here is the list:
22 ¶ Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? I have more claim to this title than they. This is a silly game but look at this list: I have worked harder than any of them. I have served more prison sentences! I have been beaten times without number. I have faced death again and again.
24 I have been beaten the regulation thirty-nine stripes by the Jews five times.
25 I have been beaten with rods three times; I have been stoned once. I have been shipwrecked three times. I have been twenty-four hours in the open sea.
26 In my travels I have been in constant danger from rivers, from bandits, from my own countrymen, and from pagans. I have faced danger in city streets, danger in the desert, danger on the high seas, danger among false Christians.
27 I have known drudgery, exhaustion, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, fasting, cold and exposure.
Paul looked back and remembered. Painful memories. Paul had been in the high court of the Jews before he accepted Jesus as his savior. He could have been rich and lived comfortably. He could have been respected. But he chose to follow Jesus. He counted the cost of the things that he would give up for Christ … and he said its worth it all.
... every advantage that I had gained I considered loss for Christ’s sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I did in fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it mere garbage compared with being able to win Christ. Php 3:7 ,8
Who do you know that even comes close to the Apostle Paul? And to think, the Corinthians had the incredible blessing of having this man in their presence! And here he is … having to play this stupid boasting game!
His critics in their fine clothes, flashing their letters of commendation and accreditation, … might have looked more honorable and respectable to the town council. Perhaps the Corinthians were tired of 'having to explain' a rough, shoddy, scarred looking Paul. How shallow and uncommitted to the Lord Jesus.
This very special 'man of God' goes on ...
28 Apart from all external trials I have the daily burden of responsibility for all the churches.
Had the Corinthians even thought of this? Obviously they were so self-centered this had not entered their minds. They cared about themselves. But not all of them, remember? Paul was so very excited about the news from Titus regarding the many who made an about face after reading Paul's first letter. But there are the others, who could so easily re-infect the whole church.
Paul feels for those who have been mislead. He said,
29 Do you think anyone is weak without my feeling his weakness? Does anyone have his faith upset without my burning with indignation?
This was no 'job' for Paul. He loved people with all his heart. He gave up his life for others.
30 Oh, if I am going to boast, let me boast of the things which have shown up my weakness!
31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I speak the simple truth.
32 In Damascus, the town governor, acting by King Aretas’ order, had his patrols out to arrest me.
33 I escaped through a window and was let down the wall in a basket.
Paul looks back and smiles a bit about this one. He escaped … was let down the wall in a basket. This was at the very beginning of his ministry. He changed over time. I think Paul is admitting that he was scared. If something like this were to have happened in his later ministry, he would have stood up to the danger and took it as it came. This one time, Paul says, “Really showed up my weakness. I give God all the praise for that escape”.
12: 1 ¶ I don't think it’s really a good thing for me to boast at all, but if I must I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord himself.
Paul had so many things of which he could boast. But he counted them as rubbish. He let go of the things that the world put a value on. He even, for the most part, did not mention his list of missionary accomplishments. He humbly served, letting go of that need for recognition, which so many people are bound by.
What about you and me? What things do we cling to … dearly? Perhaps this is looking at it backwards. Perhaps we need to hear Jesus' question to us …
Mt 21:28 ¶ "But what is your opinion about this? There was a man with two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Go and work in my vineyard today, my son.’
29 He said, ‘I won’t’. But afterwards he changed his mind and went.
30 Then the father approached the second son with the same request. He said, ‘All right, sir’ — but he never went.
God calls on his children to be servants. In some unique way you are qualified to fill a mission that is particularly yours. Knowing that you are a servant, and that God has an area of service that only you can fill, makes it a lot easier see what things in your life can hold you back.
I will close this chapter with a look at Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah had an amazing experience. He said,
Isa 6:1 ¶ In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
His response was really quite normal under the circumstances. After seeing God in this new light, he says,
5 ¶ … "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
Isaiah, we could say, was standing very close to the Lord at this point. God is light, the scriptures say. The closer we come to the light, the more clearly the specks and dirt of our clothing shows up. So it is with our sin and defects. If we want to be effective servants of God, and work in his vineyard, we must take a fresh new look at God and let Him do what the angel does to Isaiah.
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Isaiah referred to his lips, in particular. He said they were dirty. The angel took care of that. Then the Lord's voice asked, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
With a fresh new concept of God and a cleaned-up life he says, " ..., "Here I am! Send me."
When knowing God intimately, and identifying with his will for you is all that matters, it becomes easier to say what Paul says in the next chapter.
2Co 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;